Aldose reductases influence prostaglandin F2α levels and adipocyte differentiation in male mouse and human species

Pleiotropic Actions of Aldehyde Reductase (AKR1A)

We provide an overview of the physiological roles of aldehyde reductase (AKR1A) and also discuss the functions of aldose reductase (AKR1B) and other family members when necessary. Many types of aldehyde compounds are cytotoxic and some are even carcinogenic. Such toxic aldehydes are detoxified via the action of AKR in an NADPH-dependent manner and the resulting products may exert anti-diabetic and anti-tumorigenic activity. AKR1A is capable of reducing 3-deoxyglucosone and methylglyoxal, which are reactive intermediates that are involved in glycation, a non-enzymatic glycosylation reaction. Accordingly, AKR1A is thought to suppress the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and prevent diabetic complications. AKR1A and, in part, AKR1B are responsible for the conversion of d-glucuronate to l-gulonate which constitutes a process for ascorbate (vitamin C) synthesis in competent animals. AKR1A is also involved in the reduction of S-nitrosylated glutathione and coenzyme A and thereby suppresses the protein S-nitrosylation that occurs under conditions in which the production of nitric oxide is stimulated. As the physiological functions of AKR1A are currently not completely understood, the genetic modification of Akr1a could reveal the latent functions of AKR1A and differentiate it from other family members.

Ablation of Selenbp1 Alters Lipid Metabolism via the Pparα Pathway in Mouse Kidney

Selenium-binding protein 1 (Selenbp1) is a 2,3,7,8-tetrechlorodibenzo-p-dioxin inducible protein whose function is yet to be comprehensively elucidated. As the highly homologous isoform, Selenbp2, is expressed at low levels in the kidney, it is worthwhile comparing wild-type C57BL mice and Selenbp1-deficient mice under dioxin-free conditions. Accordingly, we conducted a mouse metabolomics analysis under non-dioxin-treated conditions. DNA microarray analysis was performed based on observed changes in lipid metabolism-related factors. The results showed fluctuations in the expression of numerous genes. Real-time RT-PCR confirmed the decreased expression levels of the cytochrome P450 4a (Cyp4a) subfamily, known to be involved in fatty acid ω- and ω-1 hydroxylation. Furthermore, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (Pparα) and retinoid-X-receptor-α (Rxrα), which form a heterodimer with Pparα to promote gene expression, were simultaneously reduced. This indicated that reduced Cyp4a expression was mediated via decreased Pparα and Rxrα. In line with this finding, increased levels of leukotrienes and prostaglandins were detected. Conversely, decreased hydrogen peroxide levels and reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity supported the suppression of the renal expression of Sod1 and Sod2 in Selenbp1-deficient mice. Therefore, we infer that ablation of Selenbp1 elicits oxidative stress caused by increased levels of superoxide anions, which alters lipid metabolism via the Pparα pathway.

Interleukin-1β and prostaglandin-synthesizing enzymes as modulators of human omental and subcutaneous adipose tissue function

IL-1β stimulates expression of prostaglandin (PG)-synthesizing enzymes cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and aldo-keto reductase (AKR)1B1 in human preadipocytes. We aimed to examine the impact of IL-1β, COX-2 and AKR1B1 on markers of human visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue function, and to assess whether PG synthesis by these enzymes mediates IL-1β effects. Omental and subcutaneous fat samples were obtained from bariatric surgery patients. PG release and expression of inflammatory and adipogenic markers were assessed in explants treated with COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 or AKR1B1 inhibitor Statil, with or without IL-1β. Preadipocyte differentiation experiments were also performed. IL-1β decreased expression of PPARγ in both fat depots compared to control and increased expression of NF-κB1, IL-6, CCL-5, ICAM-1 and VEGFA, especially in visceral fat for IL-6, CCL-5 and VEGFA. Adding Statil or NS-398 to IL-1β blunted PGF_2α and PGE₂ release, but did not alter IL-1β effects on adipose tissue function markers. IL-1β down-regulated adipocyte differentiation whereas NS-398 alone increased this process. However, NS-398 did not prevent IL-1β inhibition of adipogenesis. We conclude that IL-1β induces a pro-inflammatory response in human adipose tissues, particularly in visceral fat, and acts independently of concomitant PG release. IL-1β and COX-2 appear to be critical determinants of adipose tissue pathophysiologic remodeling in obesity.

Gene expression profile during proliferation and differentiation of rainbow trout adipocyte precursor cells

BACKGROUND

Excessive accumulation of adipose tissue in cultured fish is an outstanding problem in aquaculture. To understand the development of adiposity, it is crucial to identify the genes which expression is associated with adipogenic differentiation. Therefore, the transcriptomic profile at different time points (days 3, 8, 15 and 21) along primary culture development of rainbow trout preadipocytes has been investigated using an Agilent trout oligo microarray.

RESULTS

Our analysis identified 4026 genes differentially expressed (fold-change >3) that were divided into two major clusters corresponding to the main phases observed during the preadipocyte culture: proliferation and differentiation. Proliferation cluster comprised 1028 genes up-regulated from days 3 to 8 of culture meanwhile the differentiation cluster was characterized by 2140 induced genes from days 15 to 21. Proliferation was characterized by enrichment in genes involved in basic cellular and metabolic processes (transcription, ribosome biogenesis, translation and protein folding), cellular remodelling and autophagy. In addition, the implication of the eicosanoid signalling pathway was highlighted during this phase. On the other hand, the terminal differentiation phase was enriched with genes involved in energy production, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Moreover, during this phase an enrichment in genes involved in the formation of the lipid droplets was evidenced as well as the activation of the thyroid-receptor/retinoic X receptor (TR/RXR) and the peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) signalling pathways. The whole adipogenic process was driven by a coordinated activation of transcription factors and epigenetic modulators.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our study demonstrates the coordinated expression of functionally related genes during proliferation and differentiation of rainbow trout adipocyte cells. Furthermore, the information generated will allow future investigations of specific genes involved in particular stages of fish adipogenesis.

Characterization of AKR1B16, a novel mouse aldo-keto reductase

Aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) are distributed in three families and multiple subfamilies in mammals. The mouse Akr1b3 gene is clearly orthologous to human AKR1B1, both coding for aldose reductase, and their gene products show similar tissue distribution, regulation by osmotic stress and kinetic properties. In contrast, no unambiguous orthologs of human AKR1B10 and AKR1B15.1 have been identified in rodents. Although two more AKRs, AKR1B7 and AKR1B8, have been identified and characterized in mouse, none of them seems to exhibit properties similar to the human AKRs. Recently, a novel mouse AKR gene, Akr1b16, was annotated and the respective gene product, AKR1B16 (sharing 83% and 80% amino acid sequence identity with AKR1B10 and AKR1B15.1, respectively), was expressed as insoluble and inactive protein in a bacterial expression system. Here we describe the expression and purification of a soluble and enzymatically active AKR1B16 from E. coli using three chaperone systems. A structural model of AKR1B16 allowed the estimation of its active-site pocket volume, which was much wider (402 Å³) than those of AKR1B10 (279 Å³) and AKR1B15.1 (60 Å³). AKR1B16 reduced aliphatic and aromatic carbonyl compounds, using NADPH as a cofactor, with moderate or low activity (highest k_cat values around 5 min^-1). The best substrate for the enzyme was pyridine-3-aldehyde. AKR1B16 showed poor inhibition with classical AKR inhibitors, tolrestat being the most potent. Kinetics and inhibition properties resemble those of rat AKR1B17 but differ from those of the human enzymes. In addition, AKR1B16 catalyzed the oxidation of 17β-hydroxysteroids in a NADP⁺-dependent manner. These results, together with a phylogenetic analysis, suggest that mouse AKR1B16 is an ortholog of rat AKR1B17, but not of human AKR1B10 or AKR1B15.1. These human enzymes have no counterpart in the murine species, which is evidenced by forming a separate cluster in the phylogenetic tree and by their unique activity with retinaldehyde.

Aldo-Keto Reductases 1B in Adrenal Cortex Physiology

Aldose reductase (AKR1B) proteins are monomeric enzymes, belonging to the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily. They perform oxidoreduction of carbonyl groups from a wide variety of substrates, such as aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes or ketones. Due to the involvement of human aldose reductases in pathologies, such as diabetic complications and cancer, AKR1B subgroup enzymatic properties have been extensively characterized. However, the issue of AKR1B function in non-pathologic conditions remains poorly resolved. Adrenal activities generated large amount of harmful aldehydes from lipid peroxidation and steroidogenesis, including 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and isocaproaldehyde (4-methylpentanal), which can both be reduced by AKR1B proteins. More recently, some AKR1B isoforms have been shown to be endowed with prostaglandin F synthase (PGFS) activity, suggesting that, in addition to possible scavenger function, they could instigate paracrine signals. Interestingly, the adrenal gland is one of the major sites for human and murine AKR1B expression, suggesting that their detoxifying/signaling activity could be specifically required for the correct handling of adrenal function. Moreover, chronic effects of ACTH result in a coordinated regulation of genes encoding the steroidogenic enzymes and some AKR1B isoforms. This review presents the molecular mechanisms accounting for the adrenal-specific expression of some AKR1B genes. Using data from recent mouse genetic models, we will try to connect their enzymatic properties and regulation with adrenal functions.